Teacher: Kenji Tachibana Digital Photography I. Canon S5is Test & More… Any excuse to shoot...

Teacher: Kenji TachibanaDigital Photography IDigital Photography I.

Canon S5is Test & More…Canon S5is Test & More…

Any excuse to shootAny excuse to shoot

Copyright © 2003 - 2009 Kenji Tachibana

Teacher: Kenji TachibanaDigital Photography IDigital Photography ICanon PowerShot S5is Test: Any excuse to shootCanon PowerShot S5is Test: Any excuse to shoot

AAny Excuse: Curiosityny Excuse: Curiosity

Every time I take a picture, I’m always testing some Every time I take a picture, I’m always testing some feature of the camera, my ability to see, or to feature of the camera, my ability to see, or to capture what I think I see.capture what I think I see.

Here are 2 found-shots fromHere are 2 found-shots frommy exercise walk in and my exercise walk in and around the Greenwood Fred Meyers store. I shot around the Greenwood Fred Meyers store. I shot them using Canon’s latest super-zoom contender, them using Canon’s latest super-zoom contender, PowerShoit S5-IS.PowerShoit S5-IS.


VVisual Joke:isual Joke:

I go there to do my I go there to do my exercise walk when the exercise walk when the weather is not weather is not inviting outside.inviting outside.

Seeing the tiny brown Seeing the tiny brown kid shoe tickled my kid shoe tickled my funny bone. I decided funny bone. I decided to share the sight with to share the sight with you…you…


NNot Quiet:ot Quiet:

The final shot doesn’t The final shot doesn’t quite tickle my funny quite tickle my funny bone. It may be bone. It may be because I have been because I have been looking at it too long. looking at it too long. Or, it just is not there.Or, it just is not there.

The adult shoe is not The adult shoe is not as big as I wanted for as big as I wanted for the comparison…the comparison…


PPowerShot: S5 owerShot: S5 ISIS

The The ISIS part stands for part stands for IImage mage SStabilization. It tabilization. It helps to minimize helps to minimize camera movement and camera movement and it worked well for this it worked well for this handheld shot using a handheld shot using a very slow 1/10 second very slow 1/10 second shutter speed.shutter speed.


MMaking Opportunities:aking Opportunities:

Most stores have a ‘No Most stores have a ‘No Photo’ policy. And with Photo’ policy. And with that knowledge in mind, that knowledge in mind, I worked quickly to set I worked quickly to set up and shoot the shot.up and shoot the shot.

I decided that contrast I decided that contrast would be a good story would be a good story to show scale which to show scale which was part of the humor.was part of the humor. BeforeBefore


LLab work: 3 adjustmentsab work: 3 adjustments

1.1.Levels adjustmentLevels adjustment2.2.Brightness/ ContrastBrightness/ Contrast3.3.Color adjustments Color adjustments

The 3 adjustments were The 3 adjustments were applied to bring up the image applied to bring up the image P R E S E N C EP R E S E N C E..

Use the keyboard Up and Use the keyboard Up and Down arrows to compare this Down arrows to compare this After After image with the image with the previous previous BeforeBefore image. image.

AfterAfter

Teacher: Kenji TachibanaDigital Photography IDigital Photography ICanon PowerShot S5is Test: Any excuse to shoot:Canon PowerShot S5is Test: Any excuse to shoot:

RRetouching:etouching:

I liked the curved line for I liked the curved line for design reasons but it design reasons but it was too bright. So it was was too bright. So it was toned down and toned down and colorized.colorized.

Now it’s a subtle curve Now it’s a subtle curve line repeating design line repeating design elements in the subject.elements in the subject.

Did you notice it in the Did you notice it in the previous image?previous image?


PPushing The Limits:ushing The Limits:

I pushed the ISO 1-stop to 200 because of’ the low light I pushed the ISO 1-stop to 200 because of’ the low light ‘emergency’ situation. That allowed shutter speed to move up ‘emergency’ situation. That allowed shutter speed to move up to 1/5 sec (dangerously slow). Needing a faster speed, I set to 1/5 sec (dangerously slow). Needing a faster speed, I set the camera bias to EC ‘-1’. That allowed me to increase the the camera bias to EC ‘-1’. That allowed me to increase the shutter speed 1-stop to 1/10 sec, still extremely slow for a shutter speed 1-stop to 1/10 sec, still extremely slow for a hand held shot. I would not have attempted the shot without hand held shot. I would not have attempted the shot without Image Stabilization. Image Stabilization.

Even with all that emergency ‘adjustments’, the exposure Even with all that emergency ‘adjustments’, the exposure setting was still a borderline 1/10 sec at f/3.2. The last setting was still a borderline 1/10 sec at f/3.2. The last ‘adjustment’ was to use the 11mm ‘normal’ focal length. I also ‘adjustment’ was to use the 11mm ‘normal’ focal length. I also added an additional camera stabilization by bracing my back added an additional camera stabilization by bracing my back against the next shoe rack. against the next shoe rack.


GGood Result: Luckyood Result: Lucky

This would make a very fine This would make a very fine industrial espionage photo industrial espionage photo . .

The PowerShot performed The PowerShot performed extremely well and extremely well and surprised me with the surprised me with the example detail to the top example detail to the top right.right.

Teacher: Kenji TachibanaDigital Photography IDigital Photography IThe camera test is 100% but the intended story is about 90%.The camera test is 100% but the intended story is about 90%.

Details: Hand held shotDetails: Hand held shot

In order to get this level of sharpness, I In order to get this level of sharpness, I cranked the ISO up to 200 and madecranked the ISO up to 200 and made

Teacher: Kenji TachibanaDigital Photography IDigital Photography I

.

Outdoor Skylight Shot ExampleOutdoor Skylight Shot Example

Parking Lot (Found) ShotParking Lot (Found) Shot


Over-The-Top Shoe:Over-The-Top Shoe:

I walk for my exercise. One.I walk for my exercise. One.

This black area is the ‘10% safety-margin’ crop-frame applied to the camera original.This black area is the ‘10% safety-margin’ crop-frame applied to the camera original.

BeforeBefore


Over-The-Top Shoe:Over-The-Top Shoe:

I walk for my exercise. One I walk for my exercise. One of my indoor walking place is of my indoor walking place is the near by Fred Meyers. I the near by Fred Meyers. I always make sure to walk by always make sure to walk by the shoe department.the shoe department.

This tiny over-the-top shoe This tiny over-the-top shoe always make me laugh. Here always make me laugh. Here is my attempt to share it with is my attempt to share it with you.you.

I used a new camera, Canon I used a new camera, Canon PowerShot S5 IS. I’m testing PowerShot S5 IS. I’m testing it for the NSCC Media it for the NSCC Media department.department.

AFTERAFTER: Cropped, processed, & colorized. This is the same image as the previous BEFORE image. .: Cropped, processed, & colorized. This is the same image as the previous BEFORE image. .


PProcessing Steps:rocessing Steps:

The top image has been The top image has been basic processed to bring basic processed to bring out the ‘presence’.out the ‘presence’.

Light painted bottom Light painted bottom example look more like example look more like what I visualized when I what I visualized when I found the shot.found the shot.

Light painted technique Light painted technique utilizes selection with utilizes selection with feathered edges and a feathered edges and a liberal use of ‘painting on liberal use of ‘painting on the mask’.the mask’.

ProcessedProcessed


Detail: Digital noise… Detail: Digital noise… DetailDetail

Both my Panasonic and CanonBoth my Panasonic and Canonsuper-zooms have 8 MP sensors,super-zooms have 8 MP sensors,which is pushing the practicalwhich is pushing the practicallimits of the tiny thumb-nail sizelimits of the tiny thumb-nail sizesensor chip. sensor chip.

The 8 MP is causing serious overThe 8 MP is causing serious overcrowding which results in excesscrowding which results in excessheat. And that results in digitalheat. And that results in digitalNoise, which is similar to filmNoise, which is similar to filmgrain. The top Detail image shows thegrain. The top Detail image shows thenoise problem. The grain is making thenoise problem. The grain is making theimage less sharp, less contrasty, and less image less sharp, less contrasty, and less present. present. The technical flaws are getting in the way The technical flaws are getting in the way of seeing just the objectof seeing just the object……


PPushing the Practical Limits:ushing the Practical Limits:

With current technology, 8 MP is pushing theWith current technology, 8 MP is pushing thepractical limits of the compact digital sensorpractical limits of the compact digital sensorchip. Until the chip size or chip technologychip. Until the chip size or chip technologychanges, fighting digital noise with electronicchanges, fighting digital noise with electronic‘‘smoothing’ is playing havoc with trying to maintain photo-smoothing’ is playing havoc with trying to maintain photo-realistic image quality.realistic image quality.

I would rather see more R&D focused on minimizing heat and I would rather see more R&D focused on minimizing heat and digital noise rather than in continuing to increase sales by digital noise rather than in continuing to increase sales by upping the pixel count. Unfortunately, that’s a harder sell for upping the pixel count. Unfortunately, that’s a harder sell for the camera makers. And to some extent, it works for them to the camera makers. And to some extent, it works for them to create compact digitals that does not compete with their create compact digitals that does not compete with their DSLR digitals.DSLR digitals.

Teacher: Kenji TachibanaDigital Photography IDigital Photography ICanon PowerShot S5is Test: Direct competitionCanon PowerShot S5is Test: Direct competition

NNew Kids On The Block:ew Kids On The Block:

Sony and Panasonic are the new kids on the block. Sony and Panasonic are the new kids on the block. Sony is pushing hard at the heels of Nikon and Canon, Sony is pushing hard at the heels of Nikon and Canon, the big boys. They both have to offer and deliver more the big boys. They both have to offer and deliver more to be noticed in an already crowded field of digital to be noticed in an already crowded field of digital cameras.cameras.

Panasonic is not a serious contender yet. So it has less Panasonic is not a serious contender yet. So it has less to lose and more to gain by making their SuperZoom to lose and more to gain by making their SuperZoom prosumer compact digital lead the pack.prosumer compact digital lead the pack.


Competition: It’s good for usCompetition: It’s good for us

In order to get noticed as ‘real’, Panasonic teamed up In order to get noticed as ‘real’, Panasonic teamed up with Leitz to produce their digital cameras. Leitz is with Leitz to produce their digital cameras. Leitz is famous for their Lica cameras. And the partnership is famous for their Lica cameras. And the partnership is good for both companies. Panasonic supplies the good for both companies. Panasonic supplies the advanced electronics while Leitz supplies the advanced advanced electronics while Leitz supplies the advanced zoom design with excellent optics.zoom design with excellent optics.


Panasonic DMC FZ18: My current favoritePanasonic DMC FZ18: My current favorite

I started with a Nikon Coolpix Prosumer 900I started with a Nikon Coolpix Prosumer 900

but, currently with both a longer (18x) super-zoom by Leica and the power but, currently with both a longer (18x) super-zoom by Leica and the power of the RAW image file format. Nikon and Canon have both withdrawn the of the RAW image file format. Nikon and Canon have both withdrawn the RAW capability from their compact digitals.RAW capability from their compact digitals.

Panasonic was very wise to offer the RAW capability to their Super-Zoom Panasonic was very wise to offer the RAW capability to their Super-Zoom digital. More than the Leica lens, the RAW is what made me buy the digital. More than the Leica lens, the RAW is what made me buy the Panasonic Lumix FZ-18.Panasonic Lumix FZ-18.

With the the RAW does improve the image quality from FZ18, it still suffers With the the RAW does improve the image quality from FZ18, it still suffers from being ‘grainy’. Although the RAW allows me to make the grain look from being ‘grainy’. Although the RAW allows me to make the grain look more like film grain, which was beautiful in some ways.more like film grain, which was beautiful in some ways.

Teacher: Kenji TachibanaDigital Photography IDigital Photography ICanon PowerShot S5is Test: Competitive market placeCanon PowerShot S5is Test: Competitive market place

Sony: A contenderSony: A contender

Sony does not offer the RAW capability because it’s Sony does not offer the RAW capability because it’s going for the #3 spot in the DSLR market. Sony does going for the #3 spot in the DSLR market. Sony does not want its own CyberShot superzoom H series to not want its own CyberShot superzoom H series to complete with it DSLR Alpha series.complete with it DSLR Alpha series.

Sony Alpha 100 was the DSLR ‘Camera of the Year’ for Sony Alpha 100 was the DSLR ‘Camera of the Year’ for 2-years in a row. And they continue to get noticed with 2-years in a row. And they continue to get noticed with all their new models.all their new models.

Besides putting the IS into the body, they offer active Besides putting the IS into the body, they offer active LCD preview and live histogram. They are the only LCD preview and live histogram. They are the only camera maker to offer high image quality zoom lens camera maker to offer high image quality zoom lens with the preferred 18 to 70mm zoom range as a kit lens with the preferred 18 to 70mm zoom range as a kit lens choice.choice.

Teacher: Kenji TachibanaDigital Photography IDigital Photography ICanon PowerShot S5is Test: Competitive market placeCanon PowerShot S5is Test: Competitive market place::

SummarySummary

Both Nikon and Canon put the IS in the lens which Both Nikon and Canon put the IS in the lens which makes each lens heavier and more expensive. makes each lens heavier and more expensive. Sony’s offers lighter zoom lenses with superb Sony’s offers lighter zoom lenses with superb German optics at a more affordable pricing.German optics at a more affordable pricing.

If your thinking about moving up to a DSLR, give the If your thinking about moving up to a DSLR, give the Sony Alpha 350 ($900), a serious though. Although I Sony Alpha 350 ($900), a serious though. Although I still recommend the Panasonic FZ18 ($329) over still recommend the Panasonic FZ18 ($329) over any DSLR.any DSLR.


xx

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Teacher: Kenji Tachibana Digital Photography I. Canon S5is Test & More… Any excuse to shoot...

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